Pornotopia is censored again?! Really? Seriously?

The City of Albuquerque's highly restrictive zoning regulations have effectively banned the festival from all potential venues and censored all new erotic speech from our city.

In protest over Albuquerque's blatant attempts to censor films protected by the 1st Amendment, are announcing Pornotopia - CENSORED, Cirque de Sex, a live celebration of eroticism, sensuality and the joys of free speech. Cirque de Sex will feature September Smith, Cookie Fortune, Saywut, Gender Offenders, Burlesque Noir and many other circus, drag and burlesque stars of the Southwest. Cirque de Sex will be held November 6 at 8 pm at the Sunshine Theater, 120 Central Ave SW in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Doors open at 7 pm. General Admission is $10-$20 sliding scale.

Pornotopia has not been canceled. We are not giving up on finding a home for Pornotopia 2010 and a home for free speech. We will not let these erotic films be censored.

Learn More and Support Free Speech! Self Serve is hosting all sorts of events in the next few weeks. We will not go quietly, or fully clothed.

Thursday, November 4
7 pmKicked Out! Event
at Self Serve free to attend, space is limited
Learn more about free speech, censorship and how you can support Pornotopia Film Festival.

Pornotopia Censored : Cirque de Sex

Sat, Nov 6th at 8 pm
at the Sunshine Theater
Burlesque, Circus, Comedy and More! Featuring September Smith, Cookie Fortune, and many more stars of the Southwest. Dancing and revelry will follow the show.
$10-$20 sliding scale
Advance Tickets will be available October 29th at Self Serve

The Volunteer Committee is working long, hard hours to plan this year's festival. If you are interested in volunteering, email us at ptopiavolunteer@gmail.com.

mombat, my understanding of the situation is that self serve attempted to find a venue zoned IP and were unable to do so. they then found a home at the sunshine theater downtown (that bastion of family values) and have since been banned from that space too.

I'd like to point out that no one is forced to see any of the films presented during this festival. no one is compelled to buy a ticket and watch something they find objectionable. consenting adults are the audience here. and there aren't any images or posters, etc. that might offend delicate sensibilities. I suppose if the words "porn" or "pornography" make you want to cry, that might be an issue. get over it. there are lots of things that happen in my city that I object to on principle (I'll avoid specifics here to keep from derailing the topic at hand). my objections don't mean that the government should restrict the actions of others, just to save me from being offended.

the issue with pornotopia is one of venue. the city, apparently like many people posting on this board, is grossed out by consensual, women-positive sex films and has made it difficult for self serve to find a venue. if people are truly offended by porn and believe it leads to all the evils granjero invents, they should spend their time protesting against businesses like pussycat video (a place which is in nob hill a mere half mile from the guild, I might add), rather than ranting from the comfort of their armchairs or work desks.

also, if you're going to post about a topic, it's wise to know a wee bit about it first. here is self serve's website and their page about the event. there are no nsfw images or inappropriate language, etc., but if you feel funny about clicking on the link at work, wait till you get home.

Not really, AM. The stuff they show at P'topia (name truncated to please the easily offended) is not the kind of thing you'll find floating around on the interwebz. And what websites will have question and answer sessions, raffle prizes, live burlesque performances, support the local economy...

But then again, why do people go to the movie theaters anyways? Why see Avatar on the big screen in 3D when you can watch it on your 13" black and white TV at home? Oh, right...

When I don't want to see something that offends me, that others enjoy, I simply don't watch it (listen to it, buy it....). It is easier then being a killjoy, stamping on other people's interests and endlessly discussing a topic that all boils down to personal opinion and individual interests. Trying to please everyone, results in no one being happy. Live and let live. Sexuality is intrinsically linked to human beings, minus those who may have been born as a result of immaculate conception, and is worth looking at from different perspectives. They should be allowed to show whatever to any adult who wants to see it...This doesn't free them from the consequences of a possible backlash from those offended, but free speech is a two way street and should remain that way. Some people find Jackson Pollock intriguing works of art, while others see meaningless crap...But no one who doesn't like or agree that it is art, is trying to prevent them from selling at high prices or to change the minds of those who appreciate it. Try giving the benefit of a doubt, go check it out perhaps, and then form a well informed opinion based on fact and not conjecture. Or, go do something else. That's my two cents, four if in Canada.

Not a bad take, but it misses the mark. To the person whose speech is being curtailed it makes no difference who is doing the censoring; their freedoms are being limited. Now should that person decide to seek redress what you are saying may or may not come in to play. Very few of our rights are absolute.

The intent of my comment was to point out that whether or not you call it censorship or "moderaition", oftentimes the motivations are exactly the same and should not be dismisssed.

@Muskrat Sam- we support moderation. For example, creating safe space for respectful speech on this blog is helpful and serves everyone. At Self Serve we moderate the space to keep it safe for all who shop to freely ask questions, read, learn or shop. If for example, someone is violent or harasses a fellow shopper (which rarely happens), we would ask the offender to behave or leave. The problem is when zoning is so restrictive in its "moderation" of land use such that we can't find one appropriate venue for one weekend event per year.

In terms of marketing based on censorship, that accusation saddens me. I personally wish self love, finding ones' first orgasm or healthy relationship or recovering from sexual violence in a positive way was more news worthy. That is what we at Self Serve work on daily with our community and customers. Your question actually inspired a whole blog rant on the topic. Ple...